Now boarding: the first Riyadh Air flight.
The Kingdom’s ambitious Saudi Vision 2030 has been 85% completed. The major milestone has seen awesome achievements in various departments of Saudi including tourism, moving away from an oil-based economy, and record low unemployment.
Add to it, the Riyadh Air airplanes.
That’s right, the first-ever digital native airline, Riyadh Air is set to take off for its first flight near the end of 2025 and our excitement is soaring.
Headquartered in Riyadh, the majestically purple airline previously made headlines when it released the first look at its cabins.
So, start planning out your big summer of ’26 vacation. Here is everything to know about the fresh off the assembly line planes.
Riyadh Air airplanes 2025
Riyadh Air was first announced on March 12, 2023 by the visionary Saudi Prime Minister and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Backed by the Public Investment Fund, the airline has been a key player Saudi Vision 2030 by giving the aviation industry some much-needed excitement.
Helmed by UAE’s Etihad’s former boss, Tony Douglas, this digital-first airline is all about next-gen travel: AI-powered, app-driven, and ultra-smooth.
From booking flights to finding hotels, you’ll do it all in one place, straight from your phone. Welcome to stress-free, tech-savvy flying.
Riyadh Air airplanes 2025 first look location
Two days after the announcement of Riyadh Air, the entity signed a public deal with one of the biggest airplane manufacturers in the world, Boeing. The deal was for a jaw-dropping 72 787 Dreamliners. This included 39 confirmed aircraft with an option to acquire 33 additional wide-body 787-9 Dreamliner airplanes as reported by a newswire from PIF.
Now the first of the ivory and purple Riyadh Air airplane has been assembled in a Boeing factory.
Riyadh Air airplanes 2025 first look dates
The first look went live on the official X, formerly Twitter, account of Riyadh Air on Tuesday, August 26.
What to expect from the Riyadh Air airplanes
On June 22, 2023, Riyadh Air signed a deal for 90 GEnx engines to power its Dreamliner fleet. This airline isn’t settling for just one look, it’s rocking not one, but two permanent liveries, making it one of the few in the world to do so.
The first, unveiled in June 2023, paints the skies in rich indigo and blue, a nod to Saudi’s lavender fields and starry nights. The latest design turns heads with bold lines echoing Bedouin tents and graceful curves inspired by Arabic calligraphy, a perfect blend of tradition and modern flair.
Riyadh Air
Riyadh Air is preparing for its maiden flight and the anticipation is quite palpable. The airline has released its cabin crew uniforms and even an official song in preparation of the flight that could take off as early as October 2025. The airline has received its GACA certification, clearing it taxing the runway and taking the skies.
